Navy Command Headquarters

Navy Command Headquarters (Henry Leach Building)
Whale Island, Hampshire
Type	Fleet Headquarters
Coordinates	50°48′53.7″N 1°5′59.1″W / 50.814917°N 1.09975°W / 50.814917; -1.09975
Built	2002
Built by	CH Pearce
Height	Five floors
In use	2004 - present
Current condition	In Service
Current owner	Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Royal Navy/UK Ministry of Defence
Open to the public	No
Controlled by	United Kingdom Ministry of Defence

Navy Command Headquarters is the organisation responsible for the direction and management of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. The organisation provides support to Commander in Chief Fleet, the admiral responsible to the First Sea Lord for the provision of ships, personnel, aircraft and equipment in support of UK defence policy objectives.

NCHQ distributed across a number of locations with the majority of the staff at:

• Navy Command Headquarters (Henry Leach Building), HMS Excellent, Portsmouth - Main staff
• Moore Building, HMS Excellent - Fleet Battle Staff
• Northwood Headquarters, Northwood - Commander Operations and his staff
• HM Naval Bases Portsmouth, Devonport and Faslane
• Royal Marines Stonehouse, Plymouth

CINCFLEET is tasked with generating the naval forces required to support a number of standing tasks and contingency requirements in support of UK defence and foreign policy objectives. He is also responsible for the planning of future requirements, provision of advice on maritime issues and assurance of the equipment delivered by Defence Equipment & Support.^[1]

Structure of the Headquarters

Structure of Navy Command

Structure of the Fleet Battle Staff

NCHQ organisation comprises:

• Headquarters staff - Leach Building & West Battery, HMS Excellent
• Operational Command staff - Northwood
• Fleet Battle Staff - Moore Building, HMS Excellent
• Waterfront staff - HM Naval Bases

Fleet Battle Staff

The Fleet Battle Staff (also known as the UK Maritime Battle Staff, or UKMARBATSTAFF) is the UK's naval planning department and is a constituent part of the NCHQ. The department was established in 2003 in order to provide control for High Readiness Forces (Maritime). The previous 2-star sea going commander's title was changed from Commander United Kingdom Task Group (COMUKTG) to Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces (COMUKMARFOR). ^[2] The staff numbers 69 personnel with 60 kept in reserve and they work tp provide the UK's Maritime Component Commander (MCC) apability for overseas operations. ^[2] Alongside COMUKMARFOR is COMUKAMPHIBFOR (Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces, who is dual hatted as Commandant General Royal Marines). Beneath these 2-star commanders are COMUKTG (Commander UK Task Group)and COMATG (Commander Amphibious Task Group).These four commanders, as well as the Commander 3 Commando Brigade, and their combined staffs constitute the Fleet Battle Staff. ^[2]

References

1. ^ "Navy Command Headquarters". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/. Retrieved 2010-01-11. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Fleet Battle Staff". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/fleet-battle-staff/history/. Retrieved 2010-01-12.